Manual Scaling
Manual scaling is a cloud computing and system administration concept where a human operator manually adjusts the resources (e.g., compute instances, memory, storage) allocated to an application or service based on observed demand or anticipated needs. It involves direct intervention to add or remove resources, such as launching or terminating virtual machines, to handle changes in workload. This approach contrasts with automated scaling, where systems dynamically adjust resources using predefined rules or algorithms without human input.
Developers should learn manual scaling for scenarios where workloads are predictable, stable, or require precise control, such as in development environments, small-scale applications with consistent traffic, or legacy systems that lack automation capabilities. It is also useful for cost optimization in low-traffic periods, allowing operators to downscale resources to save expenses, and for compliance or security reasons where automated changes might pose risks. Understanding manual scaling provides a foundation for grasping more advanced scaling strategies like auto-scaling.